Caring for a Pomeranian

Feeding: Pomeranians have an increased tendency toward dental issues so it is recommended to feed them a quality dry food to help keep their teeth and gums health. They also have a tendency to be picky eaters.

Living with a Pomeranian

Temperament: The Pomeranian is a very independent, alert, curious, intelligent, lively and vivacious companion and show dog. Most Poms are docile and affectionate dogs with a bold personality but some have a tendency to be temperamental.

Family Dog: The Pomeranian typically gets along well with other dogs and pets provided they are properly introduced to each other. This breed is not recommended for very young children as too much attention can make them nervous or snap. They do get along well with older, well behaved children and make great companions for the elderly.

Shedding: Pomeranians are constant shedders with the cottony undercoat being shed once or twice a year.

Grooming: The long double coat of the Pomeranian should be brushed frequently by starting at the head, parting the coat and brushing it forward allowing it to fall neatly back into proper place. The process while time consuming is fairly easy to do. The coat of the Pomeranian should only be trimmed for neatness and to give the body a clean outline. They should be dry shampooed when necessary. Their eyes and ears should be cleaned daily.

Training: The Pomeranian is an intelligent dog that is eager to learn. This breed needs to know whose boss and requires a firm hand during training in order to make them listen. They can become too demanding if allowed to.

Barking: Poms are typically reserved and bark excessively when a stranger approaches. It is important to consistently teach this breed early to limit their barking when the doorbell rings or a visitor arrives.

Weather: Pomeranians should be watched closely and kept inside during hot conditions as they have a tendency to overheat.

Exercise: Pomeranians should be taken for a daily walk. They can fulfill their exercise requirements but as all other breeds they have a primal instinct to walk which needs to be fulfilled. Poms also enjoy short romps in the yard or other fenced in area.

Living Conditions: Pomeranians make a good apartment dog as they are very active inside and do not need a yard.

Pomeranian Appearance

Appearance: The Pomeranian is an active, compact, short, small dog with a soft, thick undercoat and harsh, profuse outer coat. The heavily plumed tail is set high and lies flat on the back. The Pomeranian is an inquisitive, alert, cocky and commanding dog who has an intelligent expression and buoyant personality.

Size: The Pomeranian has an average weight of 3 to 7 pounds with a height between 7 to 12 pounds. For show purposes the ideal weight should be between 4 to 6 pounds. Dog outside that range may be penalized; however the dog's overall quality is favored over their size.

Companionship: The Pomeranian is extremely loyal to it handler and family.

Head: The head of the Pomeranian should be in balance with the body. They have an alert, fox-like expression. The top of the skull is rounded and closed. If a straight line were drawn from the tip of the nose up through the center of the eyes to the tip of the ears it would for a wedge shape. The stop is well defined.

Nose: The Pomeranian's nose is black in color except on dogs with a brown, beaver, or blue coat where it is self-colored.

Eyes: The Pomeranian has medium-sized, almond-shaped, bright eyes that are dark in color and set well into the skull. The eye rims are black in color except in dogs with a brown, beaver or blue coat where they are self-colored.

Ears: The Pomeranians ears are small, carried erect and set high on the head.

Muzzle: The Pomeranian's muzzle is straight, fine and rather short in length. It should be free of lippiness and never snipey.

Teeth/Bite: The teeth of the Pomeranian should meet in a scissors bite.

Neck: The Pomeranian's neck is short and set well into the shoulders allowing the head to be carried high.

Body: The medium-boned, sturdy, compact body of the Pomeranian is slightly taller than it is in length. The back is short having a level topline and well-ribbed brisket, which is approximately half the overall height of the dog, extending down to the elbows. The length of the legs should be in proportion to the rest of the body giving a well-balanced appearance.

Forequarters: The shoulders of the Pomeranian should have a sufficient amount of layback to allow the head and neck to be carried proudly. The shoulders and legs have a moderate amount of muscle with the length of the shoulder blade being equal to that of the upper arm. The legs are straight and parallel to each other. The pasterns are straight and strong.

Hindquarters: The angulation of the Pomeranian's hindquarters balances that of their forequarters. The points of the buttocks extend well behind where the tail is set. The Pomeranian's thighs have a moderate amount of muscle with moderately bent and clearly defined stiffles. The hocks form a right angle with the ground. The legs are straight and parallel to each other.

Gait: The Pomeranian has a free, smooth and balanced gait with the forequarters providing good reach and the hindquarters providing strong drive. The rear legs move in line with the front legs and converge slightly toward a line under the center of the body as speed increases. Both sets of legs are thrown straight forward throughout the gait with the topline remaining level and maintaining overall balance and outline.

Feet: The Pomeranian's feet are compact, well-arched and face straight forward. The dewclaws may be removed. In typical stance the Pomeranian stands well up on the toes.

Tail: The Pomeranian is known for its well-plumed tail that lies flat and straight on its back.

Color: The coat of the Pomeranian comes in many colors, patterns and variation. The patterns include: Black & Tan with sharply defined, rich rust to tan markings on the muzzle, throat, forechest, above each eye, below the tail and on all legs and feet; Brindle with a gold, red or orange base color brindled with dark black cross stripes; Parti-color which is a white coat having equally distributed patches of any other color and a white blaze on the head.

Coat: The Pomeranian is noted for its double coat with a soft, dense undercoat and long, straight glistening outer coat. The thick undercoat holds the guard hair off the body. The coat around the neck and over the front of the shoulders to the chest is thick forming a frill. The coat on the head and legs is shorter and thicker than that of the body. The coat on the front legs, thighs and hind legs is well-feathered. The hair on the tail is long, straight, harsh and profuse.

Pomeranian Facts

Category: Northern, AKC Toy

Life Expectancy: The average life expectancy of a Pomeranian is about 15 years.

Characteristics: Some Pomeranians are proud and happy dogs that have a tendency to think they are bigger than they actually are and can even attack larger dogs. They make excellent watchdogs with a resounding bark. Newborn Pomeranians are very tiny and fragile and often need to be delivered by cesarean sections. Older Poms tend to become molted with bald spots. The Pomeranian has become a superior circus performer due to its high degree of intelligence and talent for showmanship.

Celebrity Owners: Marie Antoinette, Emile Zola and Mozart

Pomeranian Health

Health: Pomeranians from some bloodlines are prone to slipped stifle, luxating patella, heart and skin issues as well as eye infections.

Dental Health: Pomeranians are prone to early dental decay and tooth loss. It is important to have a Veterinarian examine and clean the dog's teeth.

Pomeranian History

History: The Pomeranian, who was a descendent of the ancient Spitz breeds of the far north brought to Europe to heard sheep, was originally developed in the Prussian region of Pomerania. Some of its ancestors weighed up to 30 pounds. During the late 1800s, Queen Victoria became a Pomeranian fan, establishing her own kennel for breeding. She successfully showed her dogs helping to boost the breed's popularity in England. It is believed that she contributed to the Pomeranian's smaller size today as her love of smaller dogs made other breeders selectively breed for smaller size. Today the Pomeranian is primarily a loving companion and beautiful show dog.